Boeing and South Africa's Comair Limited Announce Order for Eight 737 MAXs

Boeing and South Africa's Comair Limited Announce Order for Eight 737 MAXs
First African airline operator to announce order for the 737 MAX
737 MAX 8s to support airline's future fleet renewal and expansion
PR Newswire
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 19, 2014
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Boeing [NYSE: BA]
and Comair Limited announced an order today for eight 737 MAX 8s, valued at
$830 million at list prices. It is the first 737 MAX order announcement for an
African operator. The order was booked in December 2013 and was previously
unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.
"We're proud to be the first African operator to announce an order the 737
MAX," said Erik Venter, chief executive officer of Comair, "This investment in
Comair's fleet upgrade is fundamental to its business strategy of consistently
improving customer service and value, while ensuring a sustainable airline.
Our decision to make this investment was not taken lightly and is a critical
component in managing our exposure to the volatile fuel price and thus
minimizing the impact of the fuel price on airfares."
Johannesburg-based Comair operates Africa's first low cost carrier,
kulula.com, offering flights to South Africa's major cities. Comair is also
the franchise partner of British Airways, operating its local and regional
Southern African routes. The company currently flies an all-Boeing fleet of 25
Classic and Next-Generation 737s on its kulula.com and British Airways
(operated by Comair) brands. The order for eight 737 MAX 8s will support
future fleet renewal and expansion.
"Comair has grown over the past six decades by providing a product and service
of consistent value, reliability and comfort," said Van Rex Gallard, vice
president of Africa, Latin America and Caribbean Sales, Boeing Commercial
Airplanes. "The unmatched operating economics of the 737 MAX make it the best
airplane for Comair's growth strategy. In addition, the 737 Sky Interior,
combined with Comair's excellent customer service, will provide an unmatched
passenger experience."
The 737 MAX builds on the success of the Next-Generation 737 – retaining
efficiency, economics, reliability and passenger appeal that make this family
of airplanes the market leader. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology
CFM International LEAP-1B engines, as well as aerodynamic improvements such as
new Advanced Technology winglets, to deliver a 14 percent fuel-efficiency
improvement over today's most fuel efficient single-aisle airplanes. Airlines
operating the 737 MAX will see an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage
over tomorrow's competition.
Along with superior operating economics, the passenger-preferred 737 Boeing
Sky Interior will also come standard on the 737 MAX. Drawing from years of
research inspired by the travel experience, the 737 Boeing Sky Interior
features modern-sculpted sidewalls and appealing features reveals that draw
passenger eyes to the airplane's windows, giving passengers a greater
connection to the flying experience.
With today's announcement Comair will have a total of 12 airplanes on order
from Boeing, including the eight 737 MAX 8s and four Next-Generation 737-800s
for delivery in 2015 and 2016. Since its announcement in 2011, the 737 MAX has
amassed more than 1,800 orders worldwide.
Contact:
Daniel Mosely
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
International Communications
+44 208-235-5665
daniel.mosely@boeing.com
SOURCE Boeing
Website: http://www.boeing.com